There is a lot going on in the world that is difficult and hard to swallow. The injustice isn’t lost on me. The pain and suffering grieves me to my core. I’m keenly aware of the challenges facing this generation and the next. It’s too much to grapple with. It’s difficult to hope for change.
Jesus said that in this life on earth we will face trials and tribulation, and there will be suffering. Why am I surprised, then, when I witness it on the news? As the problems are hitting closer to home, why am I asking God, “Where are you?” Am I trusting that He is present and at work? The only thing I know how to do is to turn to Jesus, the author of hope.
I’m finding comfort in Isaiah 55. Please pull out your Bible and read it in full. Here’s an excerpt:
“For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
(Isaiah 55:10-11)
The Message version says, “[His words] do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” His words are THAT deliberate and calculated. Isn’t that inspiring?
God’s promises do not go unfulfilled. His words are always true, and He’s always working. There is no expiration on “Let there be light!” The light is still shining because the whole world is held together by his word, and he will fulfill his purposes in the earth. There is also no expiration on this:
““For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
(Isaiah 55:12-13)
God knows the endgame. Jesus will be glorified, and we will enjoy eternity with him. In the meantime, we pray, we believe, and we let God continue to renew our hope day by day. When I seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all other things are indeed added to me. And it’s not just the tangible provisions he provides, but the intangible provisions as well: hope and peace. I hope this passage from Isaiah brings you some of that today!